Jim Current Professional Excellence Award

Jim Current began his career by working for several years with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT).

In July 1968 he went to work for Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). After spending the first six months in training, Jim went to work in Wichita as a Tech4.

In 1974 Jim joined N. Jack Burris as a training officer for water & wastewater operators. Jim Current was instrumental at the onset of Kansas Operator certification and training. He worked tirelessly to implement and build the Kansas Operator certification and training programs. Jim wrote the regulations for mandatory operator certification in the state of Kansas, which until that time all certification, was voluntary. Jim and Jack Burris would travel all over the state putting on operator training workshops. Upon retiring from KDHE and stayed active with industry training by teaching workshops, most notably “Current Topics”, which varied in topics from legislation to whatever may be important to the water and wastewater industry at the time.

He was a member of the Association Boards of Certification (ABC). Jim went through all of the chairs for the association eventually becoming President of ABC. Jim won the Sidell Award from ABC and an award from KWEA for his long term dedication to operator training.

Jim was known locally, regionally and nationally for his dedication to Environmental Technologies.

Fort Scott Community College’s Environmental Technology Department’s Advisory Board wanted to ensure that Jim’s “vision” remained alive for the industry and so created the Jim Current Excellence Award. This award recognizes those who exemplify professionalism in the industry among the working ranks of either water or wastewater backgrounds.

Jim Current was highly thought of as a professional and as a person. His faith was important to him and he was very active in his church.